A slow decline in the numbers of Covid-19 cases was seen Monday morning with the country recording approximately 4,040 new infections in the last 24 hours. However, in the lieu of a slight drop in the infection cases, the National Command and Operation Center reported the Covid positivity rate of 7.54% in Pakistan.
These stats elucidate that under the apparent downturn in the daily trend of the cases, the increase in the active cases with the current figure recorded at 83,298 cannot be ignored.
Moreover, the data by the NCOC also show that in the last 24 hours, around 53 people have lost their lives that has triggered the death stats to 23,918. In the last 48 hours, Pakistan has recorded 85 deaths from the relentless virus which is marked by the delta strain. This death rate is the highest sibgle0day toll in the wake of the ongoing fourth wave of the pandemic.
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Cumulatively, the confirmed Covid-19 cases in Pakistan currently stand at 1,071,620, while around 962,404 patients have reached the recovery stage.
Governance strategies to curtail the fourth wave
Efforts to mitigate and put the lid on these surging cases have been the utmost priority of the governance systems of Pakistan and NCOC in particular. The smart lock-down strategies, advocating 50 percent occupancy in offices and workspaces, ardent vaccination drive and awareness nationwide, and the seamless spread of medical facilitates and medicines in hospitals reflect the country’s unwavering efforts to put life back to normal.
WHO recognizes the efforts of Pakistan in controlling covid. Allah has protected all of us. One organization which worked round the clock , kept all provinces on board and took decisions is NCOC. Today it completes 500 days. Let's join hands in appreciating the heroes at ncoc.
— Muhammed Hamza Shafqaat (@hamzashafqaat) August 8, 2021
However, the delta variant has multiplied the problems and has placed impediments on the government efforts because of its speedy contagious nature and its spread among young children. As a result, the government oscillates back and forth between lockdowns and ease of restrictions. Given the fact that Pakistan is struggling on multiple fronts particularly the economy, shutting down economic activities may not be the most favorable option.
Read more: Sindh under lockdown till August 8th as Covid Delta variant takes over
Therefore, to ensure that the livelihood of the people remains unaffected to a larger extent, the government has advocated limited mobility and activities so that the poverty rate does not surge. Prime Minister Imran Khan has asserted multiple times that a larger segment of our population is on daily wages and thus the government cannot leave the people to die in hunger.
Our Covid 19 response strategy has been appreciated by the world and with the blessings of Allah has protected Pakistan from the worst effects of Covid. I want to pay tribute to the NCOC team which through its dedicated work has been the linchpin of our Covid response strategy.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 8, 2021
Easing of Lockdown in Sindh
As the week-long lockdown in Sindh eases from Monday, 9 August 2021, the government has allowed the resuming of economic activities from 8 am to 8 pm of limited nature. All indoor dining and gatherings are banned. Only outdoor dining is permitted with 300 guests till 10 pm. Vaccinated people are allowed for indoor gyms and Fridays and Sundays are declared as closed days. The educational institutes are closed till 18th August 2021.
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In doing so, the Sindh government aims to partially lift the lockdown and ensure limited economic activity while ensuring that the Covis-19 delta cases do not surge.